The Highest Paying Construction Jobs Are In These 5 States

With the job market peaking, and a staggeringly low 3.7% unemployment rate , we decided to take a look at the top 5 highest paying states on average, for construction and extraction workers.

If you’re a roofer, or considering picking up the trade, check out our article Roofers Make The Most Money In These 5 States.

On Average These States Have Some Of The Highest Paying Construction Jobs In The US

According to the latest data from the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics for May 2018, the states below pay the highest average hourly wage and highest average annual salary for both construction and extraction workers.

With the average US hourly wage currently at $22.12 and the average annual salary $46,010, some of these states offer a comparative increase of almost 50%.

When amortized over the course of a year’s worth of hours, these states also paid the highest average annual salary for construction and extraction workers.

Unsurprisingly, most of the highest paying construction and extraction jobs are in urban centers.

So, some of the wage disparity makes up for the cost of living increase.

If you’re a home remodeling contractor, or a recent graduate of a construction or carpentry trade school and considering an entry level construction job, you might not think twice about packing your bags and jumping on a plane.

5. Massachusetts

Average Hourly Wage $30.62

Versus US Average +38.4%

Average Annual Salary $63,700

4. New York

Average Hourly Wage $31.14

Versus US Average +40.8%

Average Annual Salary $64,770

3. Alaska

Average Hourly Wage $31.61

Versus US Average +42.9%

Average Annual Salary $65,750

2. Illinois

Average Hourly Wage $32.23

Versus US Average +45.7%

Average Annual Salary $67,050

1. Hawaii

Average Hourly Wage $33.04

Versus US Average +49.4%

Average Annual Salary $68,730

Source: United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018 - Construction and Extraction Occupations

*Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.

**Statista.com